Vaginal applicator

ABSTRACT

A vaginal applicator for feminine hygiene is disclosed herein having a diverter valve housing formed with a central passageway extending therethrough for conducting a pressurized main fluid stream. One end of the housing is adapted for detachably mounting to a conventional water faucet while its opposite end is arranged to provide an aerated discharge. A diverter fitting is provided with a rotatable shank having a bore therethrough adapted to coextend with the central passage or to block the passageway so as to divert the fluid stream past a check valve into a length of flexible hose. The opposite end of the hose is detachably connected to a syringe unit which incorporates a push-button valve means for controlling the flow of fluid introduced to an elongated syringe for ultimate discharge from a discharge orifice.

United States Patent Kelsen 1451 Aug. 8, 1972 s41 VAGINAL APPLICATOR 3,288,376 11/1966 Lovell ..285/8 x [72] Inventor: Arthur F. Kelsen' 11701 Foster Road, Rossmoor, Calif. 90120 j 'g' f 'fgfgg 'ig 'j gf fl 3 [22] Filed: March 30, 1970 Atromey---Roger A. Marts [21] Appl. No.: 23,867 I I r A vaginal applicator for feminine hygiene is disclosed g l /2:2,! herein having a divert valve housing formed with a [58] Field 137/610 central passageway extending therethrough for con- "i'g' 239/428 ducting a pressurized main fluid stream. One end of the housing is adapted for detachably mounting to a conventional water faucet while its opposite end is ar- [56] References Cited ranged to provide an aerated discharge. A diverter UNITED STATES PATENTS prggidti W151 a rotatable sgianirflimtfing a bore; 4 ere on I a pt to coexten M e centra 4 2,829,645 4/1958 Matteson ..128/229 passage or toblock the passageway so as to diver, the 3,500,824 3/1970 Glibert ..128/229 X .fluid strewn past a check valve i a length of ib 2,468,306 9/1969 Heltzman ...l28/66 hose The opposite end of the hose i detachably com 3,273,189 9/1966 Levinson ..15/22 acted to a Syringe unit which incorporates a push 3,254,647 6/1966 Vogel 128/229 button valve means for controlling the fl of fluid 3,467,082 9/1969 Gilbert ..128/66 troduced to an elongated Syringe f ultimate 3,485,454 10/1969 Walker ..239/428.5 X discharge m a discharge orifice 3,055,392 9/1962 Barotz ..285/8 X 2,994,481 8/1961 B1umberg... ..239/25 I 1 Claim, 7 Drawing Figures 3 "*1 1 if I I -/4 4f 17/ J? a V A 47 Z5- 1 :1 j0- I 7f I I 47 i 4/ fy f6 29- l I g 1 11 1 Z7 PATENTEDAUB 1m 3582.176

SHEET 1 [1F 2 z vv/f M VAGINAL APPLICATOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION discomfort. Several attempts have been -made to develop and use a variety of vaginal syringes to achieve beneficial results.

Heretofore, the utilization of vaginal syringes have been severely curtailed as a result of their complexity, costliness, and the fact that different people require different fluid or water pressures due to their age, health and delicate wall tissue condition. In addition, and perhaps of maximum importance, the applicator or syringe must be readily adaptable to being cleansed with a minimum of effort and should be capable of being attached and detached from the hydraulic pressure SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The problems and difficulties encountered with conventional vaginal applicators are obviated by the present invention which provides, in one embodiment thereof, a novel syringe having a manually operated control for regulating the pressurized flow of fluid through its longitudinal passageway for discharge from one end thereof. The other end of the syringe is detachably coupled to a faucet attachment means via a length of flexible hose. This latter means includes a central passageway for conducting the pressurized fluid ly detachably coupled to the faucet attachment means for service and maintenance procedures and, when in use, the novel diverting means and fluid passageway permit-metered control of the fluid intended to issue from the syringe portion.

Therefore, it is among the primary objects of the present invention to provide a novel vaginal applicator which includes an improved method of application to obtain penetration of the clysmic spray into the folds of the vaginal wall and an improved manner of treating the water flow by combined infusion and circulation about a medicated pill or cartridge effective to enhance the cleansing process.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel vaginal applicator in'which the coupling portion is adapted to, be secured to a faucet by hand and which will provide a tight seal against leakage and which cannot be inadvertently overtightened.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel vaginal applicator including a faucet attachment device and a syringe portion detachably connected thereto which may be readily secured to a universal type of fitting on a conventional water faucet.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a novel vaginal syringe which will prevent water from becoming trapped therein that may ordinarily stagnate and which is capable of being cleaned with a minimum of effort.

A further object of the presentinvention is to provide a vaginal applicator including a faucet attachment device and a vaginal syringe which is of relatively simpie construction and which provides an easily operable pressure regulating means for the control of water pressure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization-and manner of operation, together with furtherv objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the novel vaginal apparatus of the present invention including a faucet coupling means and a vaginal syringe incorporating the present invention;

stream from the faucet to a discharge nozzle. A diverting means is rotatably carried on the valve means which includes a shank having a bore therethrough that is selectively coextensive with the central passageway or that is selectively disposed to block the passageway whereby the pressurized fluid stream is diverted through an annular passage and past a check valve for introduction to the hose and hence, to the syringe. The

shank passes through the passageway transversely to effect the selective flow of fluid therethrough and incorporates a control means for limiting the extent of diverting means communication with the passageway so as to precisely control the rate and volume of fluid flow through the central passageway. By this construction, the syringe portion of the apparatus may be readi- FIG. 2 is an enlarged transverse cross-sectional view of the faucet coupling means shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the rotary valve means or diverter means employed in the faucet coupling means as taken in the direction of arrows 3--3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view, similar to the view of FIG. 3, showing the valve means rotated to divert the main stream to the syringe;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional view of the syringe valve means shown in FIG. 1 illustrating the valve means thereof in its open position shown in broken lines;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the detachable syringe portion carried by the syringe valve means shown in FIG. 5; and

I suitable FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a diverter valve means for controllably coupling the syringe means of FIGS. 5 and 6 into a conventional shower plumbing system.

DESCRIPTION OFTllE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT I Referringto FIG. 1, a novel vaginal applicator apparatus incorporating the present invention is illustrated in the general directioriof arrow 10 and is shown asbeing attached to a conventional water .faucet 11 in communication with a pressurized source or supply of j fluid, 'such as water, for example. The hydraulic vaginal syringe apparatus 10-includes a valve housing or body 12' which is detachably secured ,to the dispensing end of the faucetl 1 by a suitable threaded arrangement 13, as

shown in FIG. 2, a valve means or gate 14 employed to control the flow through the valve housing, and a connection' fitting 15 releasably secured to the valve housing forcoupling a syringe 16 thereto via a flexible hose l7. Aerator means may be incorporated into the housing-12 if itis desired to reduce the force of water passing therethrough andis indicated by the reference numeral 18.

- The body proper of the vaginal applicator constitutes the douche tip 16 that comprises a hollow and desirably incurvate barrel of hard rubber or the like. The syringe 16 is detachably'connected on the end of a manually operated valve means, indicated by numeral 19which serves as an adjunct to the valve means 14 and the valves of the faucet for governing the volumetric flow through the hose l7 and syringe'l6.

I Referring now to FIG. 2, the valve housing 12 comprises a cylindrical body having a central fluid passageway 21 extending therethrough with threads 13 located at one end of the body for detachably connecting to the faucet 11 and having a threaded portion 22 located at the opposite end thereof fordetachably connecting with the aerating means 18. The fluid passageway 21 is capable of carrying fluid under presportions '13 and 22. The passageway 21 may be of such diameter that the pressure of the water passing therethrough may be maintained constant or may be increased, if desired, to facilitate agreater massaging and cleansing effect.

Sealing of the housing or body 12 with the faucet is readily achieved by means of a conventional elastomeric seal 23 disposed adjacent thread 13. A sediment screen 24 may be captured between the end of the faucet 1 1 and an annular shoulder 25 for catching or interfering with incidence of any foreign matter in the fluid stream introduced to the passageway 21. The aerator means 18 further includes a second screen 26 which cooperates with a plurality of openings 28 to provide a the housing or-body 12 so as to open at the side of the A diverter means 14 is detachably. inserted or carried within the recess 31 andis employed to control the flow 4 of fluid through the passageway 21 or, alternately,

through the secondary passageway 30.

The diverting means 14 includes a body portion 33 projecting exteriorly of the housing 12 and which includes a plurality of integrally formed grips 34 adapted to be hand-held for rotation thereof. integrally formed with the body portion 33, there is providedanelongatedshank or stem 35 that is rotatably insertableinto the recess 31 so as to extend in a transversemanner across the passageway 21. The abutment of a shoulder 36 with a base portion 37 limits the extent of insertion for the stem 35 within the recess 31.- The stem 35 is formed with a cavity 38 adapted to be selectively communicated with secondary passage 30 via a hole sure and is fonned in the housing 12-between threaded softened or aerated discharge stream Also, the shank or stem 35 is provided with an openended bore 41 adapted to be coextensive and coaxial with the passageway 21 asshown in broken lines. However, when the diverting means 14 including the stem 35 has been rotated approximately the body wall of the stern defining the bore 41 will interfere with the continuity of passageway 21 and the passageway will no longer conduct fluid therethrough. The bore 41 is located on the shank 35 of the valve gate 14 which is rotatably mounted to the housing 12.

The cavity 38 includes a coil spring 42 which is compressed between the bottom of the cavity and a ball check valve 43. The check valve 43 selectively opens and closes with respect to an opening 44carried by a member 45 so as to controllably close the opening to the cavity 38. As illustrated in solid lines, the check valve ball 43 is seated in the opening 44 so as to close it and therefore prevent the flow of fluid therethrough. However, when the end of coupling means 15 is inserted into the receptacle 46 against sealing ring 47, the terminatingend thereof will force the ball 43 into the cavity 38 so as to permit thepassage of fluid through opening 44 when the hole 40 is in fluid communication with the secondary passageway 30. annular groove formed in the shank of the valve means seats a sealing elastomeric seal 48 which bears against the body shoulder 25 of the .housing 12 to prevent leakage therebetween.

A stop means is provided for limiting the rotation of the diverter means 14 which includes a cooperative structure disposed to operate between the extreme end of the shank or stem 35 and its adjacent portion of the housing. As shown more clearly in FIG. 3, the stop means isindicated in the direction of arrow 50 and includes a vertical pin 51 disposed within a hole 52 formedin the housing12. A portion of the pin 51 resides within an arcuate cutout'portion 53 which is fonned in the shank 35. As indicatedin FIG. 3, the shank 35 cannot be moved in a clockwise direction because of the flat portion 54 terminating one end of the arcuate groove 53 butting against the pin 51. However, as the valve means or diverter means 14 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, a flat portion 55 associated withthe opposite end of the arcuate groove 53 e p when flat portion 55 bears against the pin 51, that the secondary passageway 30 is in communication with the hole 40 so that the water is diverted from the faucet into cavity 38 and, if the coupling means is inserted within the receptacle 46, the fluid will be conducted through the hose 17 to the syringe 15. Conversely, as shown in FIG. 3, the bore 41 is coaxial with respect to the passageway 21 so that the pressurized stream is contziisicted to the aerator 18 for discharge via the openmg Referring now to FIG. 5, it can be seen that the coupling means 15 includes an elongated stem 60 that is formed with an enlarged, annular bead 61 so as to define an annular channel 62. The extreme end 63 of the stem is adapted to be inserted through the central opening of the O-ring 47 so as to butt against the ball 43. As the stem is further inserted into the receptacle 46, the ball is forced into the cavity 38 against the expanding pressure of spring 42. However, once the O- ring 47 seats within groove 62, the end surface 63 displaces ball 43 to an extentpermitting opening 44 to be in fluid communication between cavity 38 and a central bore 64 formed in the coupling means 13. The snap action of the O-ring 47 into the groove 62 is sufiicient to 'sealingly hold coupling 15 in place. The opposite end of the coupling includes an attachment stem 65 including a barbed end for grippingly engaging with one end of a length of hose 17 so that the central bore 64 is in fluid communication with the enclosed passageway 66 of the hose. A fitting 67 may be employed to be press-fitted over the end of the hose so as to force material of the hose into securement with the barbed end 65.

FIG. 5 further shows a cross-sectional view of the manual control means 19 for connecting hose 17 to the syringe portion 16. The manual control means includes a body 70 having an inlet passageway 71 in fluid communication with the passageway of hose l7 and which includes a central chamber 72 for slidably mounting a manually operated push-button 73. An outlet conduit 74 is in fluid communication with a central longitudinal passageway 75 formed in the barrel portion 76 of the syringe element 16. A portion of the button .73 projects above the body surface 70 in response to the forcible urging of an expansion spring 77. One end of the spring bears against the bottom of chamber 72 while the op posite end of the spring bears against the enclosed end' of the button 73. Chamber 72 is selectively placed in fluid communication with outlet conduit 74 by an intermediate conduit 78. As illustrated in solid lines, the push-button 73 is arranged in sealing engagement with the sidewalls of the body 70 defining cavity 72 so that lower seal 80 prevents the pressurized fluid from entering intermediate passage 78 and an upper seal 81 adapted to be received within an annular groove 83 formed at the entrance to passageway 75 in the syringe barrel portion 76. As illustrated, the barrel portion 76 is in reduced scale as compared to the relatively enlarged scale of the drawing shown in FIG. 5. Additionally, the barrel wall defining passageway 75 is A formed with an annular shoulder 83 adapted to be prevents the pressurized fluid from discharging out of l seated against by an annular flange 84 carried on one end of a basket'85. The basket is hollow and the sidewall of the basket is provided with longitudinal cuts or slots 86 to permit resilient expansion of the body of the basket to cling to the inside wall surface of the passageway 75. The bottom of the basket is provided with a plurality of holes or apertures so as to permit the flow of fluid within passageway 75. The basket or cage 85 is employed for holding a water-soluble pill or capsule that may contain chemical ingredients for deodorizing or other female hygienic compositions. It is to be noted that the extreme end of the barrel 76 includes a spray jet 87 for issuing pressurized streams of water from passageway 75 against a semi-circular surface 88 whereupon the deflected stream will issue from the enlarged end of the syringe portion.

Referring now to FIG. 7 in detail, another embodiment of the present invention is shown whereby the coupling means 15 including hose 17, control means 19 and syringe portion 16 may be operably connected to a conventional stall shower head. In this application, a body portion is provided which includes internal threads 101 for detachably connecting with a conventional shower pipe in sealing relationship. The opposite end of body 100 includes external threads 102' for receiving a conventional shower head (not shown). Body 100 is further formed with a central passageway 102 and a transverse recess 103 which crosses through and is normal to the passageway 102. Recess 103- operably receives a shank 104 identical to the shank or stem 35 shown in FIG. 2 which incorporates an identical construction with respect to a central bore 105 and a secondary conduit 106 which selectively mates, in fluid communication, with a hole 107. The mating or aligning of hole 107 with secondary conduit 106 depends on the rotative position of the coupling or diverting means 14. Spring 108 and ball 109 are identical to spring 42 and ball 43 shown in FIG. 2. Also, the stop mechanism indicated by pin 51 and channel 53 including flat portions 54 and 55 are similarly identical to the structure shown and corresponding therewith in FIG. 2. The end tip 63 of the coupling means 15 operate against ball 109 in a similar fashion as previously described with respect to ball 43 so that water from the shower may be diverted through the secondary duct 106 and into the cavity housing ball 109 via opening 107. The ball will be forced out of its seating engagement with opening 110 so that fluid under pressure will pass therethrough into passageway 64 of the coupling means and, eventually, into the passageway 75 for issuance via the water jets 87 of the syringe portion 30. Therefore, it can be seen that the vaginal applicator of the present invention may be readily coupled to a conventional water faucet or may be readily attached to a conventional shower head arrangement. In either instance, a source of pressurized water is diverted from its normal passageway into the applicator and is under the control of an ON/OF F push-button controller 19.

In use,-the combination valvesof the bath or sink faucets are set for desired temperature and the diverting means 14' is rotated so as to align hole 40 with secondary duct 30 so that a uniform, constant pressure flow is provided to cavity 38. As the stem 60 of coupling means 15 is inserted into receptacle 46, face 63 of the stern will bear against ball 43 and urge the ball against the expansion tension of spring 42 so as to permit the flow of fluid from cavity 38 into the passageway 64 of the coupling meansrBy manually pressing button 73 down against the expansion pressure of spring 77,

intermediate passageway '78 is connected to the chamber 72 which permits the flow of pressurized fluid from inlet conduit 71 to the outlet conduit 74 and into the'passageway 75 of the syringe portion ,16. The flow from the dispensing orifice of the barrel portion 76 is diagonally disposed via the jetopenings of the member 87 so that external eddies are provided which are particularly effective for penetrating the rugae of the vaginal canal. The employment of cartridges, such as is indicated by the letter C in FIG. 6, as the mediating agent is not broadly novel and, no claim is made to the same excepting in the mode of usage, a mode of employmentwhich operates to complement infusion heretofore'relied upon to liberate the medication by the added physical act of compression. Thus, uniform medication is accomplished.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown'and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects, and, therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all .such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention. a

What is claimed is:

1. In a hydrotherapeutic applicator for discharging a main pressurized carrier stream, the combination comprising; I I

anozzle;

an attachment means removably secured to a conventional water faucet;

diverter means carried on said attachment means for 'operably and selectively: directing said carrier one of its ends and detachably connected at its.

I other end to said nozzle; I

said diverter means including a'body portion having a central passageway extending between its opposite ends; a I

said valve'means having a stem rotatably carried on said body portion for rotating about said horizontal axis extending transversely through said central passageway and further having an open-ended bore formed therein adapted to block said passageway in a first position and to be. coaxially aligned with said central passageway in a second I position; r I said bore in its second position conducting said main carrier stream for discharge via said aerator said 3e means further including a cavity formed in said stem and a hole formed therein for aligning with a secondary passageway in said body portion when said bore is in its first position;

. a secondary passageway formed in said body portion;

' a cavity formed in said stem in selective fluid communication with said other outlet; a hole formed in said stem for conducting said main carrier stream into said cavity when said bore is in I its second position; I

a resilient check-valve carried in said cavity and open in response to disposition of a coupling means introduced to said valve means for connecting said hose thereto;

said central passageway and said secondary passageway being in parallel spaced apart relationship and said hole being at a 45 angle from said central and secondary passageways when said bore is in its first position;

a stop means cooperatively disposed between said body portion and said stem for limiting rotational movement of said diverter means between saidoutlets; I a manually operated push-button valve detachably interconnecting said hose with said nozzle for controlling flow of said main carrier stream therethrough; and

, said stop means including a quarter-circle channel formed in said stem and a straight pin supported in said body portion through said channel whereby the opposite ends of said channel are flat and limit rotation of said stem upon engagement with said pin. 1 I 

1. In a hydrotherapeutic applicator for discharging a main pressurized carrier stream, the combination comprising: a nozzle; an attachment means removably secured to a conventional water faucet; diverter means carried on said attachment means for operably and selectively directing said carrier stream to issue from one of a pair of outlets; aerator means carried at one of said outlets; valve means included in said diverter means rotatable about a horizontal axis carried at the other of said outlets; a hose detachably connected to said other outlet at one of its ends and detachably connected at its other end to said nozzle; said diverter means including a body portion having a central passageway extending between its opposite ends; said valve means having a stem rotatably carried on said body portion for rotating about said horizontal axiS extending transversely through said central passageway and further having an open-ended bore formed therein adapted to block said passageway in a first position and to be coaxially aligned with said central passageway in a second position; said bore in its second position conducting said main carrier stream for discharge via said aerator means; said valve means further including a cavity formed in said stem and a hole formed therein for aligning with a secondary passageway in said body portion when said bore is in its first position; a secondary passageway formed in said body portion; a cavity formed in said stem in selective fluid communication with said other outlet; a hole formed in said stem for conducting said main carrier stream into said cavity when said bore is in its second position; a resilient check-valve carried in said cavity and open in response to disposition of a coupling means introduced to said valve means for connecting said hose thereto; said central passageway and said secondary passageway being in parallel spaced apart relationship and said hole being at a 45* angle from said central and secondary passageways when said bore is in its first position; a stop means cooperatively disposed between said body portion and said stem for limiting rotational movement of said diverter means between said outlets; a manually operated push-button valve detachably interconnecting said hose with said nozzle for controlling flow of said main carrier stream therethrough; and said stop means including a quarter-circle channel formed in said stem and a straight pin supported in said body portion through said channel whereby the opposite ends of said channel are flat and limit rotation of said stem upon engagement with said pin. 